R-curve behavior of dental ceramic materials

J Dent Res. 2002 Aug;81(8):547-51. doi: 10.1177/154405910208100809.

Abstract

Some technical ceramics exhibit the R-curve effect, i.e., an increasing fracture resistance with crack extension which is a desirable material property because more energy is necessary to propagate a microscopic crack. The objective of this study was to prove whether dental ceramic materials exhibit R-curve behavior. Nine dental ceramics were examined by the indentation-strength method. It was found that all of the tested ceramic materials exhibit a rising R-curve with crack extension. The R-curve behavior was more pronounced for the high-strength materials In-Ceram Alumina, monolithic alumina, and especially Empress 2. We conclude from our results that the mechanical behavior of a dental ceramic material can be judged more comprehensively, if the R-curve of the respective material is known.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Aluminum Oxide / chemistry
  • Aluminum Silicates / chemistry
  • Ceramics / chemistry*
  • Dental Materials / chemistry*
  • Dental Porcelain / chemistry
  • Hardness
  • Humans
  • Least-Squares Analysis
  • Linear Models
  • Materials Testing
  • Pliability
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Dental Materials
  • Duceram
  • IPS-Empress ceramic
  • vitadur alpha omega
  • Dental Porcelain
  • Cerec
  • In-Ceram
  • Frialit
  • Aluminum Oxide